Saturday, June 10, 2017

TRUXTON UNION SCHOOL AGITATED

Truxton Central School was built in the 1930's.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday,
April 10, 1894.

TRUXTON.

TRUXTON,
April 9.— Messrs. A. R. Bryant & Co. opened their store in the Sumner
block, Thursday, April 7, with a new stock of goods. Mr. A. R. Bryant has long
been one of Truxton's most popular business men and Mr. Edward Woodward, the
other member of the firm, was formerly a resident of this place, but for the
past few years he has been engaged in the mercantile business in Kansas. His
old friends are glad to see him back. The new firm have our best regards and
that they will meet with success is assured.

Miss
Julia A. Baldwin begins her school to-day.

The
school in the Pelham district begins to-day with Miss Grace Holden of McGrawville
as teacher.

The village school began this morning with a
fair attendance. Prof. Irving D. Sears has charge of the senior department,
Miss Martha Van Hoesen of the primary.

Mr. Ancil
Albro has rented the meat market of Mr. L. L. Schellinger. Mr. Albro will begin
work at once repairing and remodeling the building. One part of the building
will be fitted for a barber shop, the other part for a market.

Messrs.
Westcott & Stanton, who recently moved into their new store, have added a
fine assortment of new goods.

Mr. A. Albro has moved in the Hackett
building. He is going to fit the front of it for an ice cream parlor.

Mrs. Jay
W. Dutton of Cortland was the pleasant guest at Hotel Baldwin last week.

Word was
received here last week of the death of Mr. Sanford Haight of Huntly, Ill.,
after a very short illness. Mr. Haight was born here and was a former resident
of this place. He was uncle of Mrs.Wm.
Beattie and Mrs. Elizabeth Rowley of this place.

We think
it is our duty to say just a word about the forming of a union school here, a
question which has been agitated by many for the past few months, but which
seems at present to have been abruptly dropped for the lack of energy and the
co-operation of those who should be interested in the matter. While there are a
large number who are in favor of it, there are still a few who are against it,
failing as they do to see the advantage of it. It seems that those who object
to the forming of a union school, do so on the ground that it would raise the
rate of taxation; but more misconstrue the object of the paper that has been
presented them for their signature, believing that by signing it they declare themselves
in favoring of forming a union school. Such is not the case. The object of the
paper is for the purpose of calling a special meeting at which time it will be
determined by vote whether a a union school shall be formed or not. A gentleman
from Albany connected with the Regents department will be present and explain
the advantages of such a school and he will answer any and all questions that
may be asked in regard to it. Thus an opportunity is offered to all to get all
the information necessary before voting for or against the proposed school.
Before this meeting can be called it is required by law that in the districts
to be included in the school fifteen voters in each district must sign the call
for the special meeting. In districts where there are not fifteen voters, the signature
of every voter must be obtained.

The
proposition that has been advanced is that a union free school be formed here
comprising the Pelham, Kenney, Wicks, Crain's Mills, West Hill and village
districts. By uniting these districts a union school could be formed that would
be a credit to the town and would provide an institution for the advancement of
education. It would be the means of raising the standard of education and would
not only be a benefit to those who are now attending the district schools, but
it would increase the advantage of those who are compelled to attend school away
from home. With all these advantages a union school would make but little if
any difference in the rate of taxation.

We trust
we have fully explained this matter and that when this paper is presented to
you that you will sign it, then go to the meeting and learn the advantages of
the union school. Find out whether your taxes will be higher or not. Whether it
would be more profitable to pay tuition and board and send them away to school.
Then if your conscience tells you to vote for a union school, vote for it. If
not, vote against it. Show your interest in the matter by doing one or the
other. We have every facility for as good a school as there is in the state of
New York. Those interested in the union school think this matter over carefully.
What we want is more energy, perseverance, and the hearty co-operation of the
people, and we trust when the next term opens we shall have an institution of
which every person may well be proud and that will hereafter be known as the
Truxton Union school.

Yours for a union school, CRAZY PAT. [local correspondent]

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

It
Doesn't Look Right.

There was one occurrence at the hearing
before the town and village boards last Saturday on the question of granting a
franchise for an electric railroad which does not look right. It was this. When
Mr. Suggett asked Mr. Page whether he would bind himself not only to pay the 10
per cent agreed to be paid on the options taken from small stockholders of the
horse railroad company, but also to pay them the other 90 per cent and thus take
their stock at par, Mr. Page said he would not. Why he would not, unless the 10
per cent is all that is intended to be paid and the stock not taken, is a
question which the small stockholders are now asking themselves, and with
reason.

We are frank to say that we think Mr. Page
made a mistake in taking such a position. He has stated publicly, personally
and through the columns of The STANDARD that he would buy every share of the
stock of the horse railroad company at par, if the owners would sell. Some of
the smaller stockholders now claim that there is an agreement between the
Scranton people and certain of the larger stockholders in the horse railroad
company and their friends, whose stock is substantially in a pool, that every
cent of the purchase price of this pooled stock shall be paid before its owners
will vote to increase the stock of the horse railroad company, previous to
passing control of the road over to the Scranton people, and that after this is
done the stockholders outside of the pool will get no pay, the stock will be
watered, the road mortgaged and the stock rendered worthless. We are unwilling
to believe that any of our citizens would be parties to such an agreement, or
that Mr. Page, after his public statements, would lend himself to it. But there
certainly is no reason why he should not agree squarely in writing to take the
stock of all the stockholders in the horse railroad company and pay par
for it, and we hope he will do so. Neither he nor those claimed to be in the
pool in the horse railroad deal can afford to do otherwise, and the town and
village boards should insist that such an agreement be made before granting any
franchise which will place these small stockholders at the mercy of any one. It
is the duty of these boards neither to assent to, nor be a party to, nor make
possible the carrying out of any scheme which will do injustice to any one who
has put even a hundred dollars into the building of the horse railroad, which
has been of such benefit and convenience to our village.

The Scranton people agreed in writing to buy
the plant of the Cortland and Homer
Electric company in case control of the home railroad was secured. Why should
they object to making a similar contract with the small stockholders of the
horse railroad company? The options they have taken bind the stockholders but
no one else, Ten per cent would be a small payment to make to keep these
stockholders quiet till it was too late to help themselves.

We want this electric road to go through. We
want everything connected with it done fairly and squarely. We own no horse
railroad stock and don't care how much more than par any of the horse railroad
stockholders get for their stock, but we don't propose to be a party to any
"freeze out" or other wrong to any one who has a penny invested in
the horse railroad company.Mr. Page can
put all trouble at rest by making a contract such as suggested above, or the
large stockholders in the horse railroad can take the stock of the smaller ones
off their hands at par and put it in the pool along with their own.

After the
above article was in type Mr. H.L.
Bronson, attorney for Mr. Page, happened to call at The STANDARD office and we
called his attention to it. Mr. Bronson then made the following statement
concerning it: "I do not think the article reflects the sentiments of any
considerable number of holders of the stock of the Cortland and Homer Horse
Railroad Co. Of the 800 shares of capital stock of this road Mr. Page now holds
options on all but about 30. These options are all written substantially alike
and the same percentage has been paid on all. Not one of the persons giving an
option has expressed any dissatisfaction with the arrangement made.''

Mr. Page has stated repeatedly that he would
buy all the stock offered at par, if he builds the road. This should be
sufficient. Business men of the character and standing of Messrs. Page &
Hand should not be assumed as dishonorable. The refusal of Mr. Page to bind
himself to pay the other 90 per cent, on stock upon which he has already paid
10 per cent was not only proper but the only answer he could make.

Until he has obtained satisfactory
franchises from town and village he will not bind himself to take any person's
stock in large or small blocks. No such contract has been made and none will
be, at present, with any person.

I have no doubt that had Mr. Page been asked
to do so, he would have been willing to bind himself to take and pay par for
every share of stock in the horse railroad company, provided he secured
the electric franchises he asked for. Otherwise he would want none of the stock
whatever and would prefer to forfeit what he has paid rather than take control
of a horse railroad which he does not care to run."

Should Mr. Page bind himself, as Mr. Bronson
thinks he would have been perfectly willing to do, to buy all the horse
railroad stock at par provided he secures and accepts electric franchises from
the town and village, we believe that this would satisfy every stockholder in
the horse railroad company, and not only this but that they would turn in and
help in securing the franchises. We can see no reason why Mr. Page should
object to so bind himself, and this would end the matter. All reports
concerning Messrs. Page and Hand are highly favorable to them, yet small
stockholders in the horse railroad company cannot be blamed for wishing a
contract under which a "freeze out" would not be possible.

COMMONWEAL
AT BROWNSVILLE.

The Army
About to Begin the Long Tramp Across the Mountains.

BROWNSVILLE, Pa., April 10.—Visitorsarrived in this historic town by the scores
for the express purpose of catching a glimpse of the army of peace. No
desertions have been reported and only two recruits showed themselves.

The announcement that no foreigners need
apply for admission to the army has deterred several who are in sympathy with
the move from making application. The men are in excellent spirits and stepped
out briskly on the march to Uniontown.

In his order No. 12 Marshal Browne announced
that after Camp Dalzell at Laurel Hill tonight the mountainous trip of 70 miles
will begin, and the fare will consist of hardtack and coffee, with ham for
supper.

He scores the state militia, and compares
their lawlessness on a march to the peaceful progress of the army of peace. He
petitions the men to guard carefully Congressman Dalzell's property and to be
watchful of the mountaineers, who are a hospitable people, but a dangerous
class when imposed upon.

Trouble
Tor the Commonweal.

UNIONTOWN, Pa., April 10.— There are troublesome
times ahead for the commonweal, if the signs of the times point aright.

Cyclone Kirkland, the astrologer; Jasper Johnson,
the sable color bearer, and Weary Iler, the commissary, were absolutely refused
re-admission into the army because of their having been exhibited in Pittsburg [about 1894 the 'h' in 'burgh' was dropped by the U. S. postal service--CC editor]
dime museums.

The three men arrived in town and visited
camp, where they were cheered and a demand made by the men for their
reinstatement.

Johnson and Kirkland made speeches, in which
they expressed fealty to the cause. The temper of the men were shown in their
expressions and actions. The unknown, who had charge of the camp, announced
that he favored the reinstatement of the men, but would have to refer the case
to his superiors.

The meeting between the officers was spirited
and the unknown was turned down.

A special order was then issued by Carl Browne,
denouncing the presence in the army of any museum freaks and irretrieveably
[sic] deciding against the three men. The exact action to be taken by the men
cannot be ascertained, but Cyclone Kirkland asserts that he will organize a new
commonweal, in which women may join.

Captain
Primrose's Band Released.

WASHINGTON, April 10.—The band of men
brought here by Captain Primrose were arraigned on charge of vagrancy.

Captain Primrose, a small man with black
hair, black eyes and sandy moustache, who wore a black flannel shirt, carried a
felt hat in his hand and had on clothes badly frayed, gave minute details of
the journey of the party to Washington.

Judge Kimball rendered his decision,
releasing the men from custody on condition that they obtain work or, failing
in this within a reasonable time, leave the city.

The men were at once taken to a lunch room
where food had been arranged to be furnished them by Mrs. Belva Lockwood and
Mrs. Annie L. Diggs of the Topeka (Kan.) Advocate.

The men stopped in the Typographical Union
temple where sleeping quarters have been offered them for the week.

France
and China.

PARIS, April 10.—The government has received
advices from China that the Chinese at Hsianfiu, in the province of Shen-Si,
have burned the French mission at that place and maltreated and imprisoned the
French missionaries. The government has demanded an explanation, an apology and
compensation.

HIS
BIRTHDAY.

Mr.
Charles Wheeler Surprised By His Friends.

Yesterday was the thirty-ninth birthday of
Mr. Charles Wheeler and a number of his many friends thought that it ought to
be celebrated. They accordingly met at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. W. A.
Stevens at 9 Water-st., and at about 8 o'clock all marched in a body to Mr.
Wheeler's home at 47 Park-st.

Mr. G. Richards had preceded the delegation
and had succeeded in keeping Mr. Wheeler at home till the guests arrived. When
they did take possession of the house the host's surprise was so complete that
he was almost speechless. The evening was spent very pleasantly in games and
music. Before refreshments were served Mr. William Covert, on behalf of the
guests, presented by an excellent speech Mr. Wheeler with a fine oak rocker.
The recipient remanded in a few words of thanks and the remainder of the evening
passed off most pleasantly. Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Stevens deserve a great deal of
credit for the success of the affair, as they were the instigators.

Mr. Samuel Parsons has commenced the canvass
for his "Directory of Cortland County," which, as heretofore, will
contain a general and classified business directory of Cortland, Homer, Marathon
and McGrawville, and also a directory of all the towns of Cortland county which
will give residents' names, number of acres owned, and postoffice address. Mr.
Parsons has with him efficient and experienced canvassers and promises the
people of the county the best directory ever published in this locality.

Hospital
Needs.

Owing to the crowded condition of the
hospital it has been found necessary to provide additional accommodations for
patients and nurses. This has been done by securing rooms in an adjoining house.
The increased demand for rooms means an increased demand also for furnishings and
there is urgent need of pillows, pillow-cases, sheets and towels. Two mirrors
and two small stands are needed and if any one has these to spare they will be
gladly accepted and called for if desired.

BREVITIES.

—Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Smith informally
entertained a few friends last evening at their pleasant home on Argyle Place.

—Mr. Fred I. Graham, the talented musician,
is arranging a medley march for the Cortland City band in which will be
introduced several of Prof. W. B. Leonard's popular songs.

—An orange tea will be served tomorrow night
at the Universalist church by the Ladies' Aid society. Strangers are cordially
invited to be present. Tea served from 5:30 until 8 o'clock,

—Arbor day comes upon Friday, May 4. The new
manual is just issued by the department of public instruction of the state of
New York, and The STANDARD is in receipt of a copy.

—Mrs. Boynton Graves died at 2 o'clock this
morning aged 78 years. The funeral will be held from the residence of her
daughter, Mrs. DeForrest Hakes, 69 Maple-ave,, at 10 A. M. Thursday.

—Supper will be served at the Memorial Baptist
chapel Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 o'clock. The receipts will be devoted to
the library fund. All are invited. Supper will be ten cents.

—Mr. S. N. Gooding has just completed a
forty-foot addition to the barn of Mr. Albert Hollenbeck of Virgil. This makes
his barn 100 by 26 feet and one of the most commodious barns in Cortland county.

—A force of men are at work blowing down the
old Normal walls. Gun cotton is being used and it is exploded by means of an
electric battery. A large number of curious people watched operations on
Saturday.—Oneonta Star.

—An order has been issued by the United
States express company in accordance with which all their drivers will wear a
neat blue uniform with brass buttons, The local drivers have sent in their
measure and their suits are expected to arrive soon.

—The Junior league of the Homer-ave. church
will give a very interesting literary entertainment at the church tomorrow
night. The central feature will be a representation of the "Babes of the
Nations." The admission is only five cents.

—The Grand Union Tea Co.'s store is resplendent
with a complete renovation inside and out. The interior is especially attractive,
all the woodwork being finished in red and gold bronze. Three large elegant
Japanese paintings add not a little to the appearance.

—A patent has been granted to Dr. G. A.
Tompkins on an apparatus for manufacturing cast aluminum dental plates. Dr.
Tompkins is now nicely settled in his new office, the Dr. Hughes place on North
Main-st., and has one of the neatest, most convenient, commodious and well
appointed dental offices in town.

—Elder D. A. Ball of the Seventh Day
Adventist society has read the Bible through twenty-six times and is now on the
twenty-seventh. He is holding meetings in the W. C. T. U. rooms. The subject
for this evening will be "Evidence Given the Jews Concerning Christ's
First Advent."